Next Advance - Innovative Lab Products for the Life Sciences

Bullet Blender Troubleshooting

If the has Bullet Blender stopped prematurely and will not restart...
The Bullet Blender contains a thermal fuse which prevents the device from overheating. Wait a little while, and when it cools off, you will be able to restart it.

If the Bullet Blender will not start...
Make sure the unit is plugged in. Check your electrical connection.

If the lids of the tubes open or leak during operation of the Bullet Blender...
Make sure the tops of your tubes are securely fastened. Try to ensure that the interface regions or screw threads between the lids and the caps are dry when you close the caps or screw them on, so that there is enough friction for the caps to remain tightly sealed. For best results with the Bullet Blender, we recommend Eppendorf® Safe-Lock™ tubes. For BBX24W models, we recommend Axygen® brand or Corning® brand microcentrifuge tubes- if you need to use another type of tube for your experiments, please contact us. For BBX5MB and BB50-DX models, please use the specified tubes.

If the centrifuge tubes broke...
Use only high-quality polypropylene centrifuge tubes. Even high quality tubes may become brittle when exposed to extreme low temperatures. Use caution when using liquid-nitrogen supercooled samples to ensure that you are not supercooling your microcentrifuge tubes as well. For BBX5MB models, make sure that you are using at least 3 non-empty tubes per-homogenization.

If samples aren't fully homogenizing...
The first and easiest solution to any difficulties in homogenization is to rerun the samples at a higher speed (if not already at the maximum speed). In general, if you have further problems homogenizing a sample, play with the ratio of sample to beads. First try using more beads, then try adding less sample. Most samples will be able to be homogenized at a sample to bead ratio of 1:1, however some may require as low a ratio as 1:3. You can also try using denser beads, or changing the bead size. Harder tissue will often require denser, larger beads. Also make sure that you are using a 1:2, sample to buffer volumetric ratio. An excess of buffer may minimize bead/sample collisions and effect homogenization efficiency.

If the samples float in the buffer, and do not homogenize...
Pack your samples as far down in the microfuge tubes as possible with a pipette, forceps, or a similar tool. Place your beads evenly on top of the sample to prevent it from floating when you add your buffer. The beads should be of sufficient mass and density to weigh your sample down. If not, try increasing the amount of beads or decreasing the amount of sample until the beads successfully weigh down the sample.

If the tissue is fibrous, and does not homogenize well...
Fibrous tissue will always be difficult to homogenize. Increase the time and the speed of the homogenization, and if you still have difficulty homogenizing the tissue, try using denser beads, using more beads, or adding less sample per tube.

If you are using a kit, and the kit calls for a different amount of buffer than the Bullet Blender homogenization protocol...
If your kit calls for more buffer than your homogenization with the Bullet Blender does, use the amount recommended for use with the Bullet Blender - usually 2 units volume of buffer for every 1 unit mass of sample then add the rest of the buffer afterward. If your kit calls for less buffer than needed for homogenization with the Bullet Blender, then either use more buffer or dilute your buffer until you have the appropriate volume for use with the bullet blender. If neither of these are viable options, you can always try running the Bullet Blender with less or more buffer than is recommended. Note that an excess of buffer may minimize bead/sample collisions and effect homogenization efficiency.

If your sample is smaller than the minimum sample size (10mg / 10ul for the Bullet Blender standard, 50mg / 50ul for the Bullet Blender 5, 0.1g / 0.1ml for the Bullet Blender 50)...
Depending on the requirements of your downstream application, you may still be able to use the Bullet Blender with samples smaller than the minimum recommended size. In these situations, use an amount of beads and buffer as if you had the minimum recommended amount of sample in other words, never use less than 10mg of beads and 200µl of buffer in the Bullet Blender standard, or 0.1g of beads and 200ml of buffer in the Bullet Blender 50, regardless of how small your sample may be.

Contact us if you have any more questions.